animalphiles

Stop burping, Betsy

Belching isn't just rude. If you're a cow it's downright disasterous, from an environmental standpoint. All of that passing of gas puts a bunch of methane into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

But, modern plant-breeding methods may lead to new diets for cows that make them belch less.

Scientists in Britain say the key is developing new varieties of food that are easier for cattle to digest and also provide a proper balance of fiber, protein and sugar.

Greenhouses gases are widely blamed for causing global warming. Scientists say average temperatures will rise by between two and six degrees Celsius by the end of the century, causing droughts, floods and violent storms.

Introducing easier-to-digest legumes that tend to reduce methane emissions is an example of an approach scientists are beginning to explore. Legumes such as clover and alfalfa are commonly used for animal fodder.

It also requires farmers to balance cows' legume intake with other food and to develop different species of grass that are also more digestible.

Step on in, not in it

Cow manure could someday be the basis of building materials commonly used in homes.

Researchers at Michigan State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture say fiber from processed and sterilized cow manure could replace sawdust in the making of fiberboard (which is used in furniture and flooring).

As a bonus, anaerobic digesters used to deodorize and sterilize the manure capture methane gas which can generate electricity. And the resulting fibers make for better fiberboard than sawdust. "It appears that the fibers interlock with each other better than wood," said Charles Gould at Michigan State's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. "We end up with, I think, a superior material."

Researchers hope it could help solve the dilema of what to do with the nation's farm waste, which can total up to two-trillion pounds per year. But, they admit product development won't get very far if the public is squeamish about having cow manure in their homes.

Cows immune to mad cow syndrome

From Associated Press
Twelve genetically engineered cows are free of the proteins that cause mad cow disease - which could lead to the development of cattle immune to the brain-wasting disease - if the USDA approves.

U.S. and Japanese researchers from the U.S. and Japan say they've eliminated the gene responsible for making "prions." See full article.